"It's quite nippy"
Discussion
All in my opinion of course, but I would use the term for a sportier version of a stereotypically slow hatchback.
I'd say that a Suzuki Swift Sport or a Volkswagen Up Gti is nippy since they are the fastest of their line and are designed to offer more performance without costing much more.
A Fiesta ST, 500 Abarth and the like are 'quick' and obviously a Golf GTI/R and Focus ST/RS are 'fast'. Both lines have other versions which are not slow and offer decent performance for their price.
The term 'nippy' though is often used to describe something both small and slow by non enthusiasts, ie "My daughter has a Toyota Aygo, its nippy". I dont think it is, the car was not designed to offer any sort of performance, it was designed to be cheap and useful, which it is, and nothing more.
As for when it's applied to driving conditions such as traffic, I don't really get that either. Its still a car, you'll have to wait in that queue. If you want to 'nip' through town, a motorcycle far better fits the description.
I'd say that a Suzuki Swift Sport or a Volkswagen Up Gti is nippy since they are the fastest of their line and are designed to offer more performance without costing much more.
A Fiesta ST, 500 Abarth and the like are 'quick' and obviously a Golf GTI/R and Focus ST/RS are 'fast'. Both lines have other versions which are not slow and offer decent performance for their price.
The term 'nippy' though is often used to describe something both small and slow by non enthusiasts, ie "My daughter has a Toyota Aygo, its nippy". I dont think it is, the car was not designed to offer any sort of performance, it was designed to be cheap and useful, which it is, and nothing more.
As for when it's applied to driving conditions such as traffic, I don't really get that either. Its still a car, you'll have to wait in that queue. If you want to 'nip' through town, a motorcycle far better fits the description.
White-Noise said:
It can be used with the weather too.
I've definitely heard it used for cars that aren't slow, it's a bit tongue in cheek. Same as "it's got some poke"
Yeah I’ve heard it in a ‘funny’ way about a fast car, but it is mostly people who drive a 1.0 3 cylinder turbo with 90bhp that say it I've definitely heard it used for cars that aren't slow, it's a bit tongue in cheek. Same as "it's got some poke"
I think you guys are rather missing the point. Years back we had two cars - a 1.2 3 cylinder Polo with ~75hp and an Accord Tourer 2.4 with ~200hp.
The polo was light, had a torquey feeling but quick revving rorty little engine and very low gearing whereas the Accord was much higher geared, had a near silent engine that only really pulled well at high revs.
The Polo did indeed feel much "nippier" at low speeds but would have been absolutely annihilated if you were to race them side by side.
The polo was light, had a torquey feeling but quick revving rorty little engine and very low gearing whereas the Accord was much higher geared, had a near silent engine that only really pulled well at high revs.
The Polo did indeed feel much "nippier" at low speeds but would have been absolutely annihilated if you were to race them side by side.
For me it would be a small car with a reasonable engine and a short gearbox. 205 Gti, AX Gti, etc for older cars, Suzuki Swift for newer.
Never going to challenge a sports car but fun to drive and decent acceleration and handling. Feels fast rather than being fast which is a whole combination of factors.
Never going to challenge a sports car but fun to drive and decent acceleration and handling. Feels fast rather than being fast which is a whole combination of factors.
vaud said:
For me it would be a small car with a reasonable engine and a short gearbox. 205 Gti, AX Gti, etc for older cars, Suzuki Swift for newer.
Never going to challenge a sports car but fun to drive and decent acceleration and handling. Feels fast rather than being fast which is a whole combination of factors.
See also 106 Rallye. Never going to challenge a sports car but fun to drive and decent acceleration and handling. Feels fast rather than being fast which is a whole combination of factors.
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